Ultraviolet ray toilet seat



Feb. 1, 1949.

E. SPIERER ULTRAVIOLET RAY TOILET SEAT Filed Nov. 2, 1943 INVENTOR. l'dwazrdfipz'erer ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ULTRAVIOLET RAY TOILET SEAT Edward Spierer, Brooklyn, N. Y. 7 Application November 2, 1943, Serial No. 508,662

5 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an ultraviolet ray toilet seat.

More specifically, the invention proposes the construction of an ultraviolet ray toilet seat characterized by a toilet seat constructed of material adapted to readily transmit ultraviolet rays and having an ultraviolet ray tube mounted in a recess cut in the bottom face of the toilet seat to be illuminated for the purpose of having its rays pass through the material of the seat to destroy germs and bacteria on the outer face of the seat. I

A further object of the invention proposes the provision of a filler element set into the bottom of the recess for holding the ultraviolet ray tube in position within the recess, and the provision of means for releasably holding the filler element in position within therecess of the seat so that it may be' readily removed when desired to free the filler element to be disengaged from the recess to permit the ultraviolet ray tube to be removed from the recess to be replaced when necessary.

A further object of the invention proposes providing the ultraviolet ray tube with an extended electric cord leading to a transformer having an electric cord provided with a plug adapted to be engaged with a conventional house outlet positioned adjacent the toilet to provide the ultraviolet ray tube with the required electricity for its operation.

Still another object of the invention proposes forming the toilet seat of Lucite, ureaformaldehyde resin, polymers of vinyl acetate, cellulose ester resins or other similar materials which may be colored any desired shade in a manner to harmonize with the color scheme of a bathroom or other room in which the seat is used.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a toilet having an ultraviolet ray toilet seat constructed according to this invention and shown in a raised position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a complete horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a different position of the parts.

The ultraviolet ray toilet seat, according to this invention, includes a toilet seat l0 pivotally supported upon brackets ll mounted upon the back portion of a conventional constructed toilet bowl [2. The toilet seat In is constructedof material adapted to readily transmit ultraviolet rays. This material could be Lucite, urea-formaldehyde resin, polymers of vinyl acetate, cellulose ester resins, or other similar materials, and

.- may be colored to harmonize with the color scheme of the bathroom.

The bottom face of the toilet seat [0 is provided with a substantially U-shaped recess l3 into which a U-shaped conventionally constructed ultraviolet ray tube It is positioned. This ultraviolet ray tube M has an electric cord I5 extending from the ends thereof and connected with a transformer l5 having a variable switch l5 for cutting off the supply of current to the ray tube 14 when desired. An electric cord 15 formed with a plug l6 extends from the transformer l5. The plug 16 is adapted to be engaged with a conventional house outlet I! mounted on the wall behind the toilet bowl 12 for providing the required electricity to illuminate the ultraviolet ray tube l4. When the tube I 4 is illuminated its rays will pass through the material from which the toilet seat I0 is constructed and destroy all germs and bacteria on the surface of 1 the seat.

The bottom of the recess I3 is adapted to be closed by a filler element 9. This filler element 9 is substantially of U-shape to correspond with the shape of the recess l3 and is constructed of the same material as the toilet seat l0 to transmit the ultraviolet rays of the tube l4. As shown in Fig. 2, the filler element 9 is of a design to completely fill the unoccupied portions of the recess l3 and has its bottom face arranged flush with the bottom face of the toilet seat [0.

A novel means is provided for releasably pivotallyholding the filler element in position within the recess 13 of the seat III. This means comprises adjacent bearing portions 1 and 8 formed upon the filler element 9 and the seat Ill. The bearings 'l are formed upon the ends of the filler element 9 while the bearings 8 are formed on the bottom face of the seat l0 immediately adjacent the bearings ably mounted with its ends passing through the I. A rod 18 is longitudinally slid-' bearings l and 8. An intermediate portion of the rod it passes through a lug l9 mounted upon a portion of the toilet seat H3 between the bearings 3. A spring 23 is coaxially mounted on the rod i8 and operates between the lug l9 and a collar 2! for continually urging the rod 58 into a locking position, which will become clear as this specification proceeds.

The end portions of the rod l8 are formed with square areas'22 which normally engage complementary square areas formed in the bearings l and one of the bearings 2. When these square areas 22 of the rod 58 engage the square areas of the bearings, the filler element 9 will be maintained in a fixed position within the recess I3. lhe spring 20 tends to continually urge the rod 58 into a position in which its square areas 22 will maintain their engaged positions with the square portions of the bearings l and 8. It is possible to manually urge the rod 98 against the action of the springs 2% to a position in which the square areas 22 will be disengaged from the square openings formed in the bearings l' and 8, freeing the filler element 9 to be pivoted to a position free of the recess 13. In this pivoted position the bottom of the recess will be open and it will be possible to remove the ultraviolet ray tube M for the purpose of replacing it when necessary. V i

Catch means is provided for holding the rod ill in a position in which the square areas 22 will be disengaged from the square openings in the bearings' l and 8 against the action of the spring 29, as shown, in Fig. 5. This means comprises a peg 23 formed on the collar 2! and which is engageable into a complementary niche 24 formed in the bottom face of the toilet seat In in a turned position of the rod Hi. It is to be understood that when the square areas 22 of the rod i8 aredisengaged from the square openings in the bearings l and B, it will be possible to turn the rod I8 through substantially 90 to engage the free end of the peg 23 into the niche 24. This will hold the rod E8 in its inoperative position against the action of the spring 2! so that ones two hands will be free for the purpose of re moving the ultravioletray tube M.

The top intermediate portion of the U-shaped filler element 3 is provided with a niche 25 into" which ones finger nail is adapted to be engaged for the purpose of removing the filler element 9 from the recess 13 when the catch means at the bottom thereof has been released.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Normally, the ultraviolet tube Hi will be in position Within the recess i3 and the bottom of the recess will be closed by the filler element 9 to retain the tube M in position within the recess with its electric cord l connected with the house outlet llfor supplying the required current to I illuminate the tube M. The rays of light from the tube will pass through the material from which the toilet seat has been formed and will destroy bacteria on the face thereof.

The filler element B may be disengaged from the recess i !3,,opening the bottom thereof so that the tube M may be removed if this is desired. This may be accomplished by moving the rod 58 to the right against the action of the spring 2! for disengaging the square areas 22 of the rod iromthe square openings in the bearings l and 3. In this released position the rod l8 may be turnedvthrough substantially 90 to engage the peg: 23. int-o ths niche 2c in the bottom face of the toilet seat HI to hold the rod [8 in its inoperative position against the action of the spring 29. Both hands of the operator will then be free and one finger nail may be engaged with the niche 25 for pivoting the U-shaped member 9 into a disengaged position from the recess l3. This will free the ultraviolet ray tube to be removed from the recess. To restore the elements to their operative position the above procedure is reversed.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An ultraviolet ray toilet seat, comprising a toilet seat of material adapted to transmit ultraviolet light rays and an ultraviolet ray tube mounted in a recess cut in the bottom face of said toilet seat, a filler element of material adapted to transmit ultraviolet rays and set into the bottom of said recess for holding said tube in position, and means for releasably holding said filler element in position on said seat.

2. An ultraviolet ray toilet seat, comprising a toilet seat of material adapted to transmit ultraviolet light rays, a U-shaped ultraviolet ray tube set into a recess cut in the bottom face of said toilet seat with its ends disposed at the back of said seat, a U-shaped filler element set into said recess closing the bottom thereof, bearings pivotally connecting the rear ends of said filler and said seat, a rod slidably extended through said bearings, lock means on said rod for holding said bearings against being turned to hold said filler element locked in position, resilient means for urging said rod into its locking position, and a catch for holding said rod in an inoperative position against the action of said resilient means.

3. An ultraviolet ray toilet seat, comprising a toilet seat of material adapted to transmit ultraviolet light rays, a U-shaped ultraviolet ray tube set into a recess cut in the bottom face of said toilet seat with its ends disposed at the back of said seat, a U-shaped filler element set into said recess closing the bottom thereof, bearings pivotally connecting the rear ends of said filler and said seat, a rod slidbly extended through said bearings, lock means on said rod for holding said bearings against being turned to hold said filler element locked in position, resilient means for urging said rod into its locking position, and a catch for holding said rod in an inoperative position against the action of said resilient means, said lock means comprising square portions formed on the ends of said rod and engageable with square openings formed in said bearings.

4. An ultraviolet ray toilet seat, comprising a toilet seat of material adapted to transmit ultraviolet light rays, a U-shaped ultraviolet ray tube set into a recess cut in the bottom face of'said toilet seat with its ends disposed at the back of said seat, a U-shaped filler element set into said recess closing the bottom thereof, bearings pivotally connecting the rear ends of said filler and said seat, a rodslidably extended through said bearings, lock means on said rod for holding said bearings against being turned to hold said filler element locked in position, resilient means for urging said rod into its locking position, and a catch for holding said rod in an inoperative position against the action of said resilient means, said resilient means comprising a spring coaxially mounted on an intermediate portion of said rod and operating between a collar on said rod and a portion of a lug projecting from said toilet seat and through which said rod is slidabiy extended.

5., An ultraviolet rayrtoilet seat, comprising a toilet seat of material adapted to transmit ultraviolet light rays, a U-shaped ultraviolet ray tube set into a recess cut in the bottom face of said toilet seat with its ends disposed at the back of said seat, a U-shaped filler element set into said recess closing the bottom thereof, bearings pivotally connecting the rear ends of said filler and said seat, a rod slidably extended through said bearings, lock means onsaid rod for holding said bearings against being turned to hold said filler element locked in position, resilient means for urging said rod into its'locking position, and a catch for holding said rod in an inoperative position against the action 0! said resilient means, said resilient means comprising a spring coaxially 6 mounted on an intermediate portion of said rod and operating between a collar on said rod and a portion of a. lug projecting from said toilet seat and through which said rod is slidably extended, said catch comprising a peg extending from said collar and engage-able with a complementary cutout formed in said toilet seat in a turned position of said rod when said lock means is released.

EDWARD SPIERER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the filev of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

